U.S. midfielder Stuart Holden made his first appearance with Bolton Wanderers’ first team in 16 months on Tuesday, coming on as a second-half substitute in an FA Cup game at Sunderland.

Holden has missed most of the past two years with knee trouble, starting with an injury suffered in the spring of 2011 and then continuing following a brief return the following September, after which cartilage damage was discovered. Surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process ensued.

Holden played several times for Bolton’s reserves in recent weeks and made the roster for Tuesday’s match at the Stadium of Light, a replay of a 2-2 round-of-64 draw at Bolton on Jan. 5. Wanderers held a 2-0 lead on Tuesday thanks to two goals from Marvin Sordell when Holden came off the bench in the 74th minute.

U.S. teammate Tim Ream, a defender, didn’t play for Bolton on Tuesday.

Bolton held on for the win and advanced to the Cup’s round-of-32, where it will face Everton, featuring U.S. national team goalkeeper Tim Howard, on Jan. 26. Holden’s next chance to take the field will be Saturday as Wanderers (8-10-9) travel to Crystal Palace for a league game.

Should Holden improve on his fitness and perform well in the coming months, he could climb back into the national team picture in time for July’s CONCACAF Gold Cup. The hard-luck 27-year-old hasn’t played for the U.S. since October 2010.